Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: CyndyLou on 14 August 2008, 14:51:49

Title: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: CyndyLou on 14 August 2008, 14:51:49
Anyone ever had a spark plug crumble into the engine? (Happened on Monday and my Vx garage being extremely quiet as to cause and how much damage it's done. It's been 30k since they were last changed as per the recommended service intervals. How can this happen?? This is the second strange thing to happen to my beloved Omega since I got it. The first biggie was a water pump support breaking and taking the cam belt and the top end of the engine with it at 30k. Vauxhall steped up to the plate and sorted that one out as it was still under warranty but I do seem to have been unlucky. I love my car and am gutted they don't make it anymore. I look forward to hearing back from anyone on these matters. CyndyLou
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 14 August 2008, 14:55:49
Sounds like your head's coming off!
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: ffcgary1 on 14 August 2008, 16:29:53
My brother in laws 2.5 v6 vectra suffered from plug failure and the damage was a hole in the piston where the ceramic core was trapped between the piston and cylinder bore.  :o
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 August 2008, 16:37:30
Either you had a dodgy plug or it's been running far too hot. Have you noticed any pinking, misfiring or any other engine issues?

I do hope it hasn't done too much damage.

Kevin
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: ffcgary1 on 14 August 2008, 16:41:27
If you have faulty dis pack then that could be the cause of the plug failure, but kevin may have got it spot on, sounds like it was running very very lean/hot.
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 August 2008, 16:55:49
I'd suspect a lean mixture which would cause knock and/or burning too hot. Any fault codes in the ECU?

Might be worth changing the fuel filter in case it's clogged, putting some injector cleaner through it and getting the fuel pressure checked, just to be on the safe side.

Kevin
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: Bandit127 on 14 August 2008, 18:29:19
Is it possible that a leaky cam cover gasket has dumped oil on a plug? Add some dirt and this could cause tracking of the spark down between the external ceramic and the metal base?

Had this happen before and it destroyed the plug - but not seen it in many years.

CyndyLou - if this has happened, you may have a case against Vx for negligence in letting the bits get in to the engine.
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: iainb on 14 August 2008, 22:31:10
My god this fault takes me back to a time where management electronics wernt about.
 The main cause then was over advanced ignition causeing pre detination or pinking hence why modern cars have knock sensors. The only other time I sore this was on mark 3 Cortina's, and that was due to rubbish spark plugs being fitted.
 But in most cases the damage to the engine was serious,sorry if this fighten you but free floating bits of metal and ceramics do have that effect
Iainb
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: CyndyLou on 14 August 2008, 23:29:52
Thanks guys, I only sort of know about most of what you were talking about BUT........the first thing I looked at was the temp gauge and it was normal. I was told by the Green Flag man who did a roadside diagnostic that there were no fault codes. No hint of any engine misfiring or other problems before it suddenly went pear-shaped at 60 mph on the A1. In the end, it hasn't done too much damage. Still going to cost me a 1000.00 to get it back on the road but quite a lot of stuff from the next service has already been done (cam belt kit, that sort of thing) so I guess I'll just pay up. Thing is, if I traded it in I couldn't get half such a good car as my Omega. It has had a rotten run of bad luck though. Thanks for all your help. Glad to have joined the club.:-)
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: Andy B on 15 August 2008, 00:07:44
Quote
......Still going to cost me a 1000.00  .....

 :o :o :o :o :o Where's that figure come from?   :o  :o  :o
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 August 2008, 00:15:36
Quote
Quote
......Still going to cost me a 1000.00  .....

 :o :o :o :o :o Where's that figure come from?   :o  :o  :o

that's what I want to know.
If it was my car it would be on the road for a few notes  :o
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: Andy B on 15 August 2008, 01:41:39
Quote
Quote
Quote
......Still going to cost me a 1000.00  .....

 :o :o :o :o :o Where's that figure come from?   :o  :o  :o

that's what I want to know.
If it was my car it would be on the road for a few notes  :o

You could buy another road going car 2 new over coats  to rob it of it's engine & still have change out of a farthing £1000   ;)  ;)  :y
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: CyndyLou on 19 August 2008, 10:36:54
Well, they got my car all back together and when the owner of the garage road tested it he sent it back into the shop as he wasn't happy with the job they had done. Something about sticking valves. However, he's promised me that it won't cost any more. What's a girl to do? I don't know one end of a spanner from the other, I just want my car back so I pay up, I guess.
Title: Re: Spectacular spark plug failure
Post by: VX1 on 19 August 2008, 12:57:36
Thats the trouble with alot of garages, soon as a female walks in they immedately go ££££££££. This is due, as you have said cindylou, most women don't know one end of a spanner from the other, so the fitters, as thats what they are, give them all the speal tell them that things need replacing that don't actually need doing and charge the earth. Be carefull and ask for the parts that have been replaced to be put in a box and put in the boot of the car for re-assurance and peace of mined for yourself, that way you know what you have had replaced and done.

Paul  :y